Tongue-support



(No Model.) l

L. J. MANOR.

TONGUE SUPPORT.

Patented Apr. 3, 188s.

Nol 380,503.

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i-rruNTv LEWIS J. MANOR, OF DELPHI, INDIANA.

TONGUE-SUPPORT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 380,503, dated April 3, 1888.

Application filed December 28, 1887. Serial No. 259.219.

To @ZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, Lewis J. MANOR, of Delphi, in the county of Carroll and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tongue-Supporters; and I do hereby declare that the followiugis a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form part ofthisspeciticatiomin which- Figure l is a side elevation showing my improved tonguesupport in working position. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the same released. Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view ot the same. Fig` et is a side elevation of a modifica tion. Fig. 5 is a plan view ofthe same.

This invention relates to improvements in wagon-tongue supports; and it has for its ob jects to provide a simple and eflicient device that can be secured beneath the tongue or thill, so as not to interfere with the draft animal or animals, and which will support the front end of the tongue and transfer its weight from the necks of the anim-als to the front axle-tree of the vehicle.

To these ends the invention consists in the novel construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described, illustrated in the draw` ings, and particularly speciiied in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings by letter, A des ignates the front axle of a vehicle, and B designates the tongue mounted on said axle in the ordinary manner.

C designates a plate secured by bolts or other suitable means to the under surface of the tongue near its front end, said plate being provided near its ends with the clips or straps c c, which support and guide a movable slide, D. This slide is made of metal and has one or more lugs, d, on its upper surface, which bear against strap c and keep said plate and slide apart.

E designates a. cam-lever pivoted-to plate C between clips c and above slideD, and in such position that when the cam is turned inward by means of its handle c, as shown, the face of the cam will engage against the face of lug d and force the slide D inward toward the axle A. The slide D is retracted or forced outward @No model.)

when the cam E is reversed, as hereinafter shown.

To theinnerend ofslide D, outside ofclip c, is secured one end of a rod, F, which extends rearward to and passes through opening in a f depending bracket.H,sccured to the tongue, as shown, in front of the pivotal point of attachment ofthe tongue to the axle. The bracket H supports the rear end of rod F, but permits it to play freely therethrough. f

I designates a bar hung by one end upon a clip, J, depending from axle A and extending forward to and a little beyond the bracket H on tongue B. The front end of bar I is provided with an upstanding bracket or strap, i, which has an opening in its upper end through which passes the rod F, and thereby supports the front end of bar I on this rod in front of bracket H. The front end of rod F, near its junction with slide D, is screw-threaded and upon it is mounted the hand-nut f, andbe tween said nut and bracket i on said rod is a spring, (preferably c0iled,`) G, provided with washers at its ends, if desired. TWhen not in use or when the device is released, as shown in Fig. 2, the bracket i on bar I stands out beyond bracket H, and the spring G, acting against bracket z' and nutfon rod F, forces the latter forward,and with itslide D,as is evident. When in use, the cam E is turned inward, forcing slide D and rod F backward and causA ing the compression of spring G between bracket/i' and nutf. This compression of the spring tends to elevate the front end of the tongue, as is evident, the weight ofthe tongue being in part transferred through bracket i to bar and by the latter to axle A.

It will be observed that the rod F and bar I, connected as described, form a kind of sectional truss extending from the front portion of the tongue to the axle, and that the brackets H and 'i on the tongue and bar I form a kind of center brace for said truss and enable me to make the parts Very light and small enough to be entirely beneath the tongue, except when the cam is open, without detracting from the necessary strength of the device. The spring G will permit the tongue to be forcibly depressed after the supporting device is set without damage thereto, and will cause the instant IGO return of the tongue to its proper position upon release. By means of nut f the elevation of the tongue can be regulated, as is evident, as by it a greater or less degree of normal cornpression is given spring G.

In Fig. 4 I have shown a modified arrangement of the tongue-support. In this the bar I and brackets H and i are omitted, `and a sliding arm, J, is employed, Which is secured to the tongue so that it can reciprocate thereunder. This arm J has its front end, j, upturned and perforated for the passage of the end of rod F, which it supports, and against eudj bears the inner end of spring G. The rear end of arm J projects beyond the end of the tongue, and is adapted to engage against the axle A, or against a stop, a, secured to the under side of the tongue-holding arms thereof. In operation, when the cam is closed the spring G on rod F forces arm J inward, the latter engages the axle or stop, as described, and the spring, being tensioned, tends to elevate the front end of the tongue, as is eviden t. I prefer,however, employing the device illustrated in Fig. 1, as it is more effective and there is not so much strain on the spring and other parts of the device.

Having described my invention, I claim- 1. The combination of the tongue, the slide D, and its actuating-cam E, with the rod F, operated by said slide, the spring G thereon,

and the devices for transmitting strain from spring G to the axle when the cam is closed, all constructed and arranged to operate substantially in the manner and for the purpose described.

2. The combination,with the axle and tongue and the slide and actuating-cam therefor and rod attached to said slide and supported in a depending bracket, of the bar hung upon the axle at one end and upon said bar at its other end and the, spring mounted on said rod and engaging said bar, all constructed and arranged to operate substantially as and for the purpose described.

3. In a tongue-support, the combination, with the slide, actuating -oam therefor, attached rod, and supporting-bracket for said rod secured to and below the tongue, of the bar hung upon the axle at rear and upon said rod at front by an upstanding bracket, the spring mounted on said rod engaging the bracket of said bar, and the adj usting-nut'for said spring, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I aliix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

L. J. MANOR.

Vitnesses:

J. N. WINGFIELD, ELDRIDGE BOOTH. 

